If you're a huge "Avatar: The Last Airbender" fan, then check out Judy I. Lin's book, "City of Echoes."
What was your inspiration behind your most recent book?
"Avatar Legends: City of Echoes" is set during the events that occurred in the original "Avatar: the Last Airbender" show, so that is where I put my focus when I was writing this book. I loved the found family and fun adventure aspects of the show, but I also recognized the darkness that ran through the story about the effects of war on regular citizens and the pain of colonialism that was present throughout. I kept that in mind while I was writing "City of Echoes." I also really enjoyed the Chronicles of the Avatar books that came before the Avatar Legends shows and there are influences from Kyoshi, Yangchen and Roku’s books as well sprinkled in "City of Echoes."
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
Books and libraries for me have always been a safe place. I’m purposeful in what I choose to read because I want to read books that represent the communities that I live in. I want to read stories that are not only about struggling with acceptance and pain, but also about BIPOC and LGBTQ folks living their best, joyful lives. We all deserve to see ourselves as the main character, as the star, the superhero, the one who falls in love and who is loved in return.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
Growing up, I never felt represented in the books that I read. It wasn’t until I was around university age when I was able to read a story where I saw myself represented. Though it was a happy experience, it was sad too because it took me so long to find it. I write because I would love for a teen to pick up one of my books and see themselves in these stories. Whether it’s a food they’re familiar with, a place they’ve been to, or a myth they also learned about while growing up. I know for myself how special that made me feel, and that is a feeling I hope to pass on to them.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
"City of Echoes" is about Jin, a young refugee living in the capital city of the Earth Kingdom – Ba Sing Se. She spends her days studying at the academy and taking care of her ailing grandfather, as well as helping out at her best friend’s bakery. But she loses her best friend to the realities of living in the Lower Ring and starts to take on odd jobs to get her back. Once she becomes involved with the more sinister underbelly of Ba Sing Se though, the more she realizes that her best friend is in danger, and she will risk everything to get her back… Fans of the show will recognize Jin as the optimistic and romantic girl who asks Zuko out on a date. Even though she appears only for a short time during the show, she is one of my favorite characters and I got to explore her life and see Ba Sing Se through her eyes. I had so much fun writing it and I hope readers get the same experience when they read it!
What can fans expect from your book?
My goal is to honor the adventurous spirit of the original show. To put it simply, "City of Echoes" is about a girl figuring out her place in the world while going on daring escapades. She’s coming into her strength, learning about who she is, and making friends and falling in love along the way!
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I am working on my next fantasy book. It’s the first of a duology that is a companion to my Chinese mythology-inspired fantasy novel Song of the Six Realms. There will be a lot of romance (especially a sapphic romance that has my whole heart), found family, heartache, and magic! I’m having so much fun writing it and can’t wait to share it with readers when it’s ready.
